State Youth Festival–2025 Concludes at Kalinga Stadium, Young Achievers to Represent Odisha at National Forum

Bhubaneswar: The State Youth Festival–2025, celebrating the creativity, talent and youthful energy of Odisha, concluded on a high note at the Kalinga Stadium on Thursday after three days of vibrant competitions and cultural exchanges. Organised from December 24, the festival brought together young talents from across the state, offering them a dynamic platform for artistic, literary and scientific expression.

Youth participants from various districts competed in a diverse range of events, including poetry writing, speech, short story writing, painting, science exhibition, folk music and folk dance. The festival not only showcased the multifaceted talents of Odisha’s youth but also fostered innovation, leadership and cultural pride.

Winners of the State Youth Festival–2025 will represent Odisha at the upcoming “Viksit Bharat Youth Leadership Dialogue” to be held in New Delhi, providing them an opportunity to showcase their skills and ideas at the national level.

As per the results, three winners each were selected in poetry writing, speech, short story writing and painting, while five young innovators were chosen from the science fair category. In the cultural segment, three folk music groups and three folk dance troupes were selected for their outstanding performances. All the winners will represent Odisha at the national dialogue in New Delhi.

Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, Balwant Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism Department, said that the youth are the architects of the future and the cornerstone of a Viksit Odisha. He expressed confidence that the award-winning participants would bring laurels to the state at the national platform.

Kali Prasanna Mahapatra, Director, Higher Education Department, who attended the programme as Guest of Honour, said the State Youth Festival has emerged as a vital platform for identifying, nurturing and showcasing young talent, helping bring it into public focus.

The valedictory ceremony was attended by Sachin Ramchandra Yadav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports and Youth Services Department, Dr Yedula Vijay, Director, Sports & Youth Services Department, Bijay Kumar Swain, Additional Secretary, Ashok Kumar Panda, and other senior officials. The dignitaries felicitated the winners of various competitions, marking a memorable conclusion to the State Youth Festival–2025.